Saugatuck-Douglas in running for 'Prettiest Painted Places' national honor

Homes such as this one in Saugatuck have helped the city into a competition for the "Prettiest Painted Places" in the United States.Courtesy

SAUGATUCK, MI - The twin cities of Saugatuck and Douglas are in the running to be one of the "Prettiest Painted Places" in the U.S., qualifying as one of the top-10 regional finalists in the national competition.

Saugatuck/Douglas and Bay View, another Michigan finalist, beat out six other Michigan towns in the first round of the competition that included Traverse City, Grand Rapids, Petoskey and Frankenmuth. The Allegan County cities fall under the north-central region and are among 60 competing for a spot in the dozen that will be honored.

“I submitted 21 photographs of beautifully painted local residences and businesses which I felt represented the unique taste and creativity of our area,” said Felicia Fairchild, executive director of the Saugatuck-Douglas Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The American Paint Quality Institute and Dow Chemical hold the contest once a decade to find the best painted towns in the country. This year more than 200 communities were nominated and the selection narrowed down to ten contenders from six regions.

A panel of judges, experts in color choices, exterior painting and home improvement, this month will name the top 12 “Prettiest Painted Places” from the 60 with two towns selected from each region.

The chosen communities are to be featured on HGTV, and in USA Today, The New York Times and Smart Money magazine.